Zadravec Tapped For Pacific Home Opener

With Van Isle native Sean Melvin picking up an injury ahead of Pacific FC’s season opener against Valour tomorrow, the club is bringing in Daniel Zadravec on a short-term replacement contract.

The Victoria native helped fill in for Pacific last season when an illness sidelined Emil Gazdov, with Zadravec making three starts.

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His debut came in a 3-2 win over Valour – whom the club plays at home tomorrow – following by losses to York United and Vancouver FC. He made six saves overall, conceding two goals in each match played.

The 24-year-old has worked with Pacific goalkeeper coach Trevor Stiles for some thirteen years, having progressed through the Vancouver Island Wave program before spending five campaigns with the UNBC Timberwolves, where he laid claim to a Top Defensive Player Award and Team MVP in 2023.

His arrival on a short-term replacement contract was approved by the league through a case of extreme hardship, which in this case was Pacific having less than two goalkeepers available off the match.

With Pacific having sold Emil Gazdov to CF Montreal, the club brought in Whitecaps youngster Max Anchor on a season-long loan from the Vancouver Whitecaps. It is expected that Anchor will start the game, though in the case of Zadravec, one never knows what can happen when you’re on the bench.

Header Image Photo Credit: John Jacques